Female Heroes of the Sea and Sailors

[Juho]

Originally Posted by Sea Dreaming

Oh you can do better can't you? Just because a man leaves his wife behind does not instantly relegate her to "supportive role". Instead she has been elevated to head of household and in many cases, head of the family business or farm too. Far from supporting her husband's whims, she is supporting herself and her children with intelligence, hard work and tough decision making. 10 lashes for your lax thinking, and 10 more for failing to recognize the real "hero"!

I think there may be many cases where she actually keeps everything together but the "head of the family" is allowed to "make the heroic decisions".

[Celestialsailor]

Ahhhh...more speculating...

[Sea Dreaming]

Originally Posted by Juho

I think there may be many cases where she actually keeps everything together but the "head of the family" is allowed to "make the heroic decisions".

Notice your choice of the word "allowed"? That means someone else is making the decisions, even if the family "hero" is alowed to believe otherwise!

[boatman61]

Rosie Swales.. 1st woman to take a Multi Round the Horn.. quite a character.. went on to run around the world.

[Franziska]

Florence Arthaud & Isabelle Autissier

Two of the most impressive French female sailors in the 80ies and 90ties.
They both left big impressions in the than (and now again) male dominated offshore racing circuits.

Florence sadly passed away way to early in a helicopter crash. RIP Flo!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Arthaud

&

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabelle_Autissier

[JPA Cate]

I, too, have great respect for Isabelle Autissier, such a fierce competitor, but hard on her machinery. You gotta finish to win. I'm told she's a very nice woman, as well.

About the nature of heroes, perhaps some of us want our heroes to be mythically perfect, too. With heroes from yesteryear, we aren't aware of their flaws, but if they were during our lifetime, sometimes we know some flaws as well. It makes me wonder how people evaluate "hero" status.

I liked grantjordan's post about the mothers of sailors and the early cruisers. It's a lovely way of looking at the women. I'm not sure they'd count as heroes to me, but maybe I set the bar too high. Maybe Lyn Pardey should be on his list, too. I think of those women as I do of myself: I'm a follower, with Jim the leader. I do not feel demeaned by the choice. A partnership is a valid choice, to me. I think it's possible some feminists would think the only praisable women are those who do it without any man's involvement (possible exception of their father): "a woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle" way of thinking....



Ann

[Franziska]

One more, Dame Naomi James.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naomi_James

First women to sail around the world single-handed via Cape Horn.

[akprb]

Lin Pardy.

Hero? Well if nothing else inspiration to many. She gets my vote.

Along with Becky Berger 😉

[Juho]

Could name a few from this list

[Tayana42]

I nominate Ann Cate! A life well lived afloat, a friendly and helpful attitude...knowledge, wisdom and grace.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by Tayana42

I nominate Ann Cate! A life well lived afloat, a friendly and helpful attitude...knowledge, wisdom and grace.

Second that!

And for the same reasons. She is an admirable, experienced, wise, and helpful sailor.

[boatman61]

Oh Yes indeedy...!!!

[Steadman Uhlich]

I am happy to see this thread has gotten so many good contributions of noteworthy, exemplary, and admirable Female Sailors or Heroes of the Sea and Sailors.

Several named already were on my list to feature in the future. I will probably add some photos of them and short bio or links in the future.
___________

I do encourage anyone to do the same (post links, photos, anecdotes, bio).

Tell us WHY you think they are admirable, or heroic.
___________

Here is one of my favorite contemporary Female Sailors. I admire her for her courage, her skills as a sailor, and her personality. Her sense of humor has made me chuckle a few times, and I think she shows the world that sailing, even competitively, can be fun.

I think she would be great to have as a shipmate, mentor, captain, skipper, or friend. I imagine she would be excellent in sailing any time, but also fun to have aboard. I will post a few photos to show some of the facets of her personality and expressiveness (including that she was featured in a fashion photo shoot on a boat).
_____________

Samantha (Sam) Davies

From Wikipedia page about her:
"Samantha Davies came into the limelight with her 2008-2009 single-handed circumnavigation in the Vendée Globe race, where she placed fourth. She was the third to cross the finish line, but owed a time allowance of 50 Hr to competitor Marc Guillemot, who crossed the line 48:40' after her. The time allowance was applied following both competitors' diversion to assist injured skipper Yann Eliès, but Marc Guillemot benefited from a larger handicap because of his forward position in the race.[2] Her abundant and lively video footage during the race caused a media and audience frenzy that dubbed her "la petite anglaise".[citation needed][3] Davis trains at "Pôle France, Finistère Course au Large" in Port-La-Forêt (La Forêt-Fouesnant)."

[JPA Cate]

@ Tayana42, Steady Hand, and Boatie,

First, thank you for the kind words, but I'm afraid y'all have a fantasy of me that looks much more wonderful than the occasionally crabby when frustrated me starts letting go with the tongue! [It was not without cause that someone once told me I cussed worse than any two sailors they knew! True.] i write positively, but am aware of a lack self confidence. I'm certainly no Dame anything or Autissier, either.

Everybody gets to choose their heroines, I guess, but you can really do better than me.

Ann

[Tayana42]

See! Humble too!